Well the brisk / mod+ riders certainly “eclipsed” the mod riders today, as just like the sun hiding behind the moon, the mod lads were all hiding from the heat and the hills of Wales.
With probably the lowest turnout at the Gallery Cafe, the true athletes of Kevin, Chris, Toby, Alan and Steve H set out on Alan’s cunning route to stay low and stay cool. With temperatures a good four degrees cooler at the coast Alan devised a route to shadow the Dee path then pick up the Coastal Path to Bagillt and then using a bit of major roads to Greenfield Valley.
The tree lined climb up to Holywell was a real
pleasure as we ascended one of the steepest railway climbs in the country
according to Alan. As we left Holywell we paused for a hydration top up, with
Alan playing the role of Aquarius. Whitford soon zoomed past and we began the
day’s single earnest climb to Llanasa. Once there it was a quick plunge down to
Talacre and the bakery.
Here we were regaled with stories of protesting animal rights, the differential speed of a 40mph greyhound and a person out for a beach stroll! Both Steve and Chris manned up and bought an “Oggie”. Imagine the largest Cornish pastie you have ever seen, then double it and you get the idea.
The breeze was pleasant at the coast but the heat was relentless; however Kevin stepped into the role of Aquarius and we were all replete with cold water except Chris who like a camel stores all his water on his back.
The climbing done we followed Alan’s route past the former Point of Ayr gas sweetening site which is now being prepared for the Hynet Carbon Capture project. Gravel, slippy wet bridges and lovely sea views accompanied our route back to the Fun Ship by Abakan. Here Alan showed his local knowledge and took us on another gravel spectacular eventually joining the A road just up from Greenfield.
A quick diversion to Flint Castell split the group with Alan returning to his car, which he uses like a ski lift to “get me up the hill”. Toby and Kevin struck out for the Dee Path and Millennium Way and Chris battered me up Paper Mill Lane resulting in me achieving numerous fastest ever sections.
A big thanks must go to Alan for leading a really interesting and varied route. Everyone’s mileage and climbing will vary, but I covered 47 miles and just over 2000 ft of climbing. Sorry no gpx as everyone started or ended anywhere except the Cafe!
Steve Hu
No comments:
Post a Comment